Iron pyrites radioactive

Pitchblende is one of the most fertile sources of radioactive material. Its composition varies widely, but it always contains an oxide of uranium, associated with oxides of other metals, especially copper, silver, and bismuth the Austrian mineral contains cobalt and nickel the American, samples contain no cobalt or nickel but are largely associated with iron pyrites and arsenic zinc, manganese, and the rare earths are frequently present, while occasionally calcium, barium, aluminium, zirconium, thorium, columbium, and tantalum are reported. Dissolved gases, especially nitrogen and helium, are present in small proportions. 

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